NBA Goes Above And Beyond For Isaiah Austin

For those of you who didn't see it, the NBA did something extremely special at tonight's draft.

Baylor center Isaiah Austin was diagnosed last week with Marfan Disease, which affects the connective tissues in the body. It can affect your heart and your windpipe and excessive cardio activity can worsen these symptoms and can be potentially fatal. As I'm sure you know, there is a lot of cardio activity involved in the game of basketball. The diagnosis effectively ended Austin's playing career, thus ending his dream of playing in the NBA.

That just didn't sit well with Adam Silver and the NBA, though. While they couldn't let Austin actually play, they wanted him to at least be able to live his dream of walking up on that stage and shaking hands with the commissioner. So, halfway through the draft, Adam Silver declared that the NBA was selecting Austin. The 7'1" 20 year old got up and strolled up the steps, same as his peers. He wiped a tear from his eye as he hugged Silver and smiled for the cameras.

Austin has been offered jobs by both the NBA and Baylor University once he finishes his degree.

Watch the video and see for yourself. This is a touching moment and a showing of pure class and respect from a major sports organization. Well done, Mr. Silver.

Why is it so dusty in here???